ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Special Service and Features
AADHAR ENROLMENT/UPDATION CAMPAIGN BY DEFENCE ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT FOR THE PENSIONERS
Under the aegis of Controller of Defence Accounts, Chennai, an Aadhar Enrolment/Updation campaign was organised for the benefit of Defence/Defence Civilian pensioners on Friday, the 18th November, 2022 in the premises of Defence Accounts Department  Service Centre located at CDA, Chennai. The campaign was arranged with the assistance and coordination of the Post Master General, Tamil Nadu. The representatives of the Post Master General manned the Aadhar Kiosk installed for this purpose.
Shri T. Jayaseelan, IDAS, CDA in his inaugural address highlighted the various measures taken by the Defence Accounts Department in the area of grievance redressal in general and the annual identification of Defence Pensioner in particular in the light of the digital initiative through ‘SPARSH’ portal. CDA further brought home to the defence pensioners that the DAD service Centre at Chennai will go all out to help the Defence Pensioners in addressing the various issues. Further, Major Prabhakaran, Assistant Director, Ex-Service man welfare board clarified the queries of the Pensioners.
The programme was well received by the pensioners.
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Ministry of Defence
DG Rakesh Pal appointed as 25th Director General of Indian Coast Guard
DG Rakesh Pal has been appointed as the 25th Director General of the Indian Coast Guard . He is an alumnus of the Indian Naval Academy and joined Indian Coast Guard in January 1989. He has undergone professional specialisation in Gunnery & Weapons Systems at Indian Naval School Dronacharya, Kochi, and an Electro-Optics Fire Control Solution course from the United Kingdom. The Officer holds the recognition of being the First Gunner of ICG.
In his distinguished career spanning over 34 years, the flag officer has held several key appointments, prominent among them are Commander Coast Guard Region , Gandhinagar, Deputy Director General , and Additional Director General Coast Guard at Coast Guard Headquarters, New Delhi. Besides, he has held various prestigious staff assignments viz. Director  and Principal Director  at Coast Guard Headquarters, New Delhi. He has vast sea experience and commanded all classes of ICG ships namely; ICGS Samarth, ICGS Vijit, ICGS Sucheta Kriplani, ICGS Ahalyabai, and ICGS C-03. The Officer has also Commanded two Coast Guard bases of the forward area in Gujarat - Okha & Vadinar.
DG Rakesh Pal was elevated to the rank of Additional Director General in February 2022 and was posted at Coast Guard Headquarters, New Delhi. He was given the additional charge of Director General Coast Guard in February 2023. During the period, many significant operations and exercises were accomplished that includes the seizure of drugs/narcotic substances and gold worth crores of rupees, rescue of mariners during severe cyclonic storms, joint exercises with the Foreign Coast Guards, anti-poaching operations, humanitarian assistance during cyclones/ naturals calamities and Coastal Security exercises.
DG Rakesh Pal was conferred with Tatrakshak Medal in 2013 and President Tatrakshak Medal in 2018 for his illustrious service.
ABB/Anand
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Ministry of Defence
Upgradation of Capabilities of Armed Forces
Modernization of the Armed Forces is a continuous process based on threat perception, operational challenges, and technological changes to keep the Armed Forces in a state of readiness to meet entire spectrum of security challenges. Government attaches the highest priority to ensure that the Armed Forces are sufficiently equipped to meet any operational requirement. This is achieved through induction of new equipment and technological upgradation of capabilities. The equipment requirement of the Armed Forces are planned and progressed through a detailed process which include 15 year Long Term Integrated Perspective Plan , a five year Service-wise Capital Acquisition Plan, a two year roll-on Annual Acquisition Plan and deliberations by the Defence Acquisition Council chaired by the Raksha Mantri.
During the last four financial years from 2015-16 to 2018-19, 210 contracts have been signed for capital procurement of defence equipment for Armed Forces such as Helicopters, Naval vessels, Radars, Ballistic Helmets, Artillery Guns, Simulators, Missiles, Bullet Proof Jackets, Electronic Fuzes, and ammunition.
This information was given by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh in a written reply to Dr. R. Lakshmananin Rajya Sabha today.
Nampi/DK
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Ministry of Education
IGNOU term end examinations begin from 4th March
The Term End Examinations for December 2021 of Indira Gandhi National Open University  are scheduled from 4th March 2022 to 11th April 2022 across the country.
A total of around 9000 students are appearing the examinations at seven examination centres in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta and Kanyakumari, districts under the IGNOU Regional Centre Trivandrum. The hall ticket is available on the IGNOU website www.ignou.ac.in. Students must possess valid identity cards issued by the university during the examination.
For more details contact IGNOU Regional Centre Trivandrum Rajadhani Complex, Killippalam, Karamana P.O., Thiruvanathapuram- 695002 Ph: 0471-2344113/2344120/ 9447044132.
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Ministry of Micro,Small & Medium Enterprises
KVIC’s e-portal Brings Early Diwali for empowered Potters
Khadi’s online sale has brought good fortune for its empowered potters this Diwali. Earthen lamps  made by these potters in the remote parts of Jaisalmer and Hanumangarh districts in Rajasthan are reaching every corner of the country, thanks to Khadi India’s e-portal .
Khadi and Village Industries Commission , this year, for the first time, decided to sell Diyas to online and through stores to become foot soldiers of the Prime minister's vision of Vocal for Local. KVIC launched online sale of Diyas on October 8, and in less than a month, nearly 10,000 Diyas have already been sold online. Huge demand for Khadi’s clay Diyas was seen from the very first day of its launch and in less than 10 days, a majority of designer Diyas were completely sold out.
Following this, KVIC launched new sets of designer Diyas that are also in huge demand. The sale of Diyas is further rising with Diwali inching closer.
KVIC has launched 8 types of designer Diyas that are priced nominally between Rs. 84 and Rs. 108 for a set of 12 pieces. KVIC is also offering a discount of 10% on these Diyas. KVIC potters have expressed happiness that they are earning Rs 2 to Rs 3 on sale of every Diya. Khadi’s designer Diyas are available at www.khadiindia.gov.in.
KVIC is also selling Diyas and other clay items such as Laxmi-Ganesh idols and other decoratives through its outlets in Delhi and other cities. These idols are being made by potters in Varanasi, Rajasthan, Haryana and other states and are fetching good income for the potters. Diyas, on the other hand, is being procured from KVIC units in Pokharan in Jaisalmer and Rawatsar in Hanumangarh district in Rajasthan. Over 10,000 Diyas have also been sold through various Khadi outlets.
KVIC Chairman Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena said the online sale of clay items is empowerment of KVIC potters in real sense. “Earlier, potters in a particular region would only sell their items locally but with the pan-India reach of Khadi’s e-portal, these products are being sold in every part of the country. Through KVIC e-portal, Diyas made in Rajasthan are being purchased in remote states like Arunachal Pradesh, J&K, Kerala,Assam, Maharashtra, Andaman & Nicobar Islands. This has prompted an increase in production and higher income of the potters,” Saxena said. “This is precisely the dream of the Prime Minister to empower potters and revive the art of pottery,” Saxena added.
Madan Lal Prajapati, one such potter of PMEGP unit in Pokharan, said this is the first time he is selling Diyas outside his village. “This Diwali our sale has shot up. We are supplying our Diyas to Khadi Bhavan in Delhi and from there it is being sold throughout the country online. This is fetching me good income,” he said.
Notably, KVIC has trained these potters and provided them with electric potter wheels and other equipment under Kumhar Sashaktikaran Yojana that has increased their production and income by up to 5 times. So far, KVIC has distributed over 18,000 electric potter wheels benefitting over 80,000 people of the Kumhar community.
Ministry of Cooperation
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah has thanked Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for approving the constitution of an Inter-Ministerial Committee  for the World's Largest Grain Storage Plan in Cooperative Sector
Shri Amit Shah said that this is a visionary decision, which will lay the foundation of a prosperous, self-reliant and food grains-rich India
Lack of agricultural storage capacity leads to wastage of food grains and farmers are forced to sell their crops at low prices
With this decision, farmers will now get modern grain storage facilities in their blocks through Primary Agricultural Credit Societies , so that they will be able to get fair price for their grains
PACS are an important pillar of the rural economy, with this plan, the country will get food security and crores of farmers associated with cooperatives will be benefited, it will enable PACS to not only provide storage facilities but aslo undertake many other activities, such as Fair Price Shop and Custom Hiring Centers
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah has thanked Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for approving the constitution of an Inter-Ministerial Committee  for the World's Largest Grain Storage Plan in Cooperative Sector.
In his tweets, Shri Amit Shah said that “I thank Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for approving the constitution and empowerment of an Inter-Ministerial Committee for the World's Largest Grain Storage Plan in cooperative sector in cabinet today.”
The Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Minister said that this is a visionary decision, which will lay the foundation of a prosperous, self-reliant and food grains-rich India. Lack of agricultural storage capacity leads to wastage of food grains and farmers are forced to sell their crops at low prices. With this decision, farmers will now get modern grain storage facilities in their blocks through Primary Agricultural Credit Societies , so that they will be able to get fair price for their grains.
Shri Amit Shah said that PACS are an important pillar of the rural economy. With this plan, the country will get food security and crores of farmers associated with cooperatives will be benefited. This plan will enable PACS to not only provide storage facilities but also undertake many other activities, such as Fair Price Shop and Custom Hiring Centers.
With this historic decision the farmers will get the following benefits:-
1. Farmers can sell their crops to PACS by receiving some advance payment at the Minimum Support Price , and get the balance after the PACS sell the food grains in the market, or
2. Farmers can store their crops in the warehouses managed by PACS and get finance for the next crop cycle and sell their crops at the time of their choice, or
3. Farmers can sell their entire crop to PACS at minimum support price.
Ministry of Labour & Employment
All-India Consumer Price Index Numbers for Agricultural and Rural Labourers – January, 2021
The All-India Consumer Price Index Numbers for Agricultural Labourers and Rural Labourers  for the month of January, 2021 decreased by 9 points and 8 points to stand at 1038  and 1045  points respectively. The major contribution towards the fall in general index of Agricultural Labourers and Rural Labourers came from food with  12.52 points and  11.40 points respectively mainly due to fall in prices of pulses, onion, potato, cauliflower, brinjal etc.
The fall/rise in index varied from State to State. In case of Agricultural Labourers, it recorded a decrease of 1 to 20 points in 18 States and an increase of 15 points in Kerala State whereas index of Madhya Pradesh State remained stationary. Tamil Nadu State with 1250 points topped the index table whereas Himachal Pradesh State with 819 points stood at the bottom.
In case of Rural Labourers, it recorded a decrease of 2 to 20 points in 17 States and an increase of 2 to 15 points in 2 States whereas index of Madhya Pradesh State remained stationary. Tamil Nadu State with 1234 points topped the index table whereas Bihar State with 850 points stood at the bottom.
Amongst states, the maximum decrease in the Consumer Price Index Numbers for Agricultural Labourers and Rural Labourers was experienced by Bihar State and West Bengal State  respectively mainly due to fall in the prices of onion, chillies green, vegetables and fruits and gur etc. On the contrary, the maximum increase in the Consumer Price Index Numbers for Agricultural Labourers and Rural Labourers was experienced by Kerala State  mainly due to rise in the prices of rice, fish fresh and vegetables and fruits etc.
Point to point rate of inflation based on the CPI-AL and CPI-RL decreased to 2.17% and 2.35% in January, 2021 from 3.25% and 3.34% respectively in December, 2020. Inflation based on food index of CPI-AL and CPI-RL is at  1.02% &  1.22% respectively in January, 2021.
All-India Consumer Price Index Number 
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|
Group
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|
Agricultural Labourers
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|
Rural Labourers
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|
|
|
Dec,2020
|
|
Jan,2021
|
|
Dec,2020
|
|
Jan,2021
|
|
General Index
|
|
1047
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|
1038
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|
1053
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|
1045
|
|
Food
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|
1005
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|
987
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|
1010
|
|
993
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|
Pan, Supari, etc.
|
|
1738
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|
1762
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|
1749
|
|
1773
|
|
Fuel & Light
|
|
1099
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|
1110
|
|
1094
|
|
1104
|
|
Clothing, Bedding &Footwear
|
|
1025
|
|
1031
|
|
1045
|
|
1050
|
|
Miscellaneous
|
|
1068
|
|
1076
|
|
1071
|
|
1080
Speaking about the latest index, Shri Santosh Gangwar, Minister of State  for Labour and Employment said, “The inflation based on CPI-AL and RL has dipped to 2.17% and 2.35% which is driven by lower food inflation mainly on account of decline in prices of pulses, onion, potato, cauliflower, brinjal etc."
Shri DPS Negi, Director General of Labour Bureau while releasing the index said, “The decline in inflation will bring cheers to the millions of labourers working in rural areas as it will put lesser burden on their pockets”.
The CPI – AL and RL for the month of February, 2021 will be released on 19th March, 2021.
Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs
Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs Organizes Cleanliness Drive Under Swachhata Campaign
Under the Swachh Bharat Mission, the important flagship programme of the Government initiated by Prime Minister to fulfil the dream of Mahatma Gandhi to make a clean and hygienic India, Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs gives the main focus on Swachhata and Record Management in the Ministry.
Inspections are conducted by senior officers of the Ministry under swachhata campaign on regular basis to ensure the Swachhata in the Ministry.
Employees of the Ministry carry out cleanliness drives to maintain hygiene and cleanliness in their offices regularly.
As the main focus of the special campaign is to minimize the pending references in various categories, better record management and maintaining swachhata, Ministry has done the following work from November, 2022 to August, 2023:
Pending References
|
|
References
|
|
Total Receipts
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|
Total Disposals
|
|
References from MPs
|
|
176
|
|
176
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|
Parliamentary Assurances
|
|
4
|
|
4
|
|
Public Grievances
|
|
85
|
|
85
|
|
PMO References
|
|
2
|
|
2
The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs deals with Public Grievances and PMO references on priority basis and due to prompt and immediate action presently pendency is NIL.
Record Management
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|
Physical Files
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|
Due for review
|
|
Reviewed
|
|
Identified for weeding
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|
Weeded
|
|
48
|
|
48
|
|
48
|
|
48
During the period, 153 files have been transferred to National Archives of India for scientific preservation and Revenue of Rs.67,900/- was generated by auctioning of old and obsolete items.
Special Service and Features
All time record handling of Rock Phosphate in a single day set by Chennai Port
On 07.04.2022 Chennai Port has reached an all time record of importing 23,220 Tons of Rock Phosphate on a single day by m.v. IVS RAFFLES at Jawahar Dock 2 surpassing the previous record unloading of 21,050 Tons from m.v. BULKTEC on 04.03.2018.
Shri. SUNIL PALIWAL, I.A.S, Chairman, Chennai Port Authority has appreciated the synergy exhibited by the Vessel Agent M/s. Seatrans Marine Pvt.Ltd, Stevedore M/s. Seagreen Stevedoring and Logistic Pvt Ltd., importer M/s Coromandel International Ltd., and the Port officials for the above achievement.
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President's Secretariat
President of India Pays Homage to Dr Rajendra Prasad on his Birth Anniversary
The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, paid homage to Dr Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India, on his birth anniversary at Rashtrapati Bhavan today . The President and officials of Rashtrapati Bhavan paid floral tributes before a portrait of Dr Rajendra Prasad.
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
Ministry of FAHD celebrates Har Ghar Tiranga Program at Ettaiyapuram in Tamil Nadu
Dr. L. Murugan hoisted the National Flag as part of celebrations in Tamil Nadu
400 iconic venues across the country host events as part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav
The Government of India is celebrating Har Ghar Tiranga Program from 11th August – 15th August, 2022. Under Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav year, the Government of India under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrate the event at 400 iconic sites across the country.
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India in collaboration with Tamil Nadu State Government celebrated the Har Ghar Tiranga Program at Ettaiyapuram, Thoothukodi, Tamil Nadu on 12th August, 2022.
Dr. L. Murugan, Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India graced the event with his presence as Chief Guest in august presence of various Dignitaries. Minister of State, FAHD hoisted the National Flag at Mahakavi Bharatiyar Memorial at Ettaiyapuram, Thoothukodi, Tamil Nadu and felicitated the family members of Martyrs/Freedom Fighters. The Minister said that, “I paid my tributes to our unsung heroes who sacrificed their lives during the struggle for independence of India. I was honoured to interact with family members of freedom fighters during the occasion”. He also paid floral tributes to Mahakavi Bharathiyar the great poet who seeded thirst for Independence among countrymen through his writing at Ettaiyapuram, his birth place. The Minister also motivated people to actively participate in Har Ghar Tiranga Campaign.
The Government of Tamil Nadu provided all administrative and logistic support enthusiastically to make the event grand success.
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
"Kisan Bhagidari Prathmikta Hamari" campaign organized under Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav
More than 1 Lakh farmers join from around 2000 locations across India
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying has organized the week-long "Kisan Bhagidari Prathmikta Hamari" campaign from 25th to 30th April 2022 in association with the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare as a part of ongoing celebration of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. On the fourth day of the campaign, a virtual awareness session was organized on 28th April 2022 by the Department of Fisheries  in association with the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying . The key objective of the awareness session was to generate mass awareness amongst fishers, fish farmers, livestock & dairy farmers and other stakeholders about various schemes being implemented by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry& Dairying and encourage them to avail the benefits.
Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Shri Parshottam Rupala graced the event and shared his valuable insights on various welfare measures while highlighting the importance of fisheries and livestock sector in employment and livelihood generation, and interacted with the farmers from different States and encouraged them to avail benefits under various schemes of the Ministry. Dr. L Murugan, Hon'ble Minister of State and Shri Sanjeev Kumar Balyan, Hon'ble Minister of State, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, were also present during the event.
Dr. O.P Chaudhary, Joint Secretary, DAHD welcomed the guests and participants and shared his thoughts on the event. The session highlighted various entrepreneurship schemes of NLM/RGM/AHIDF along with DoF’s flagship scheme "Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana ", Fisheries Infrastructure Development Fund  and Kisan Credit Card  for the farmers and organisations associated with Agriculture, Fisheries, and allied activities. The event was streamed live on DAHD’s official Facebook page with many people joining online. More than 1 Lakh farmers joined the session from around 2000 locations across India.
Shri Sagar Mehra, Joint Secretary, Inland Fisheries, GoI shared his concluding remarks with a vote of thanks to everyone, especially to the farmers for their enthusiasm and proactive participation. Videos of success stories of fish entrepreneurs were shown to promote entrepreneurship opportunities in Fisheries and motivate the farmers present.
Ministry of Finance
Indian Advance Pricing Agreement regime moves forward with signing of three UAPAs by CBDT in May and June, 2018
The Central Board of Direct Taxes  has entered into three Unilateral Advance Pricing Agreements  during the past couple of months. With the signing of these Agreements, the total number of APAs entered into by the CBDT has gone up to 223, which inter alia include 20 Bilateral APAs.
The UAPAs entered into during the past couple of months pertain to consumer industry, automobile and precious stones & metals sectors of the economy. The international transactions covered in the agreements pertain to provision of corporate guarantee, purchase of brand, availing of grading services, availing of management services and payment of royalty.
The progress of the APA scheme strengthens the Government’s resolve of fostering a non-adversarial tax regime. The Indian APA programme has been appreciated nationally and internationally for being able to address complex transfer pricing issues in a fair and transparent manner.
Ministry of Jal Shakti
Guidelines for Designing of Drinking Water Pipeline Distribution Projects
Water is a State subject. Power to plan, design, approve, implement, operate and maintain the water supply scheme is vested with the States. The Government of India supplements the efforts of the States by providing technical and financial assistance. Since August 2019, the Government of India in partnership with States is implementing Jal Jeevan Mission , to make provision of potable tap water supply to every rural household of the country, by 2024.
The Govt. of India has issued JJM Operational Guidelines under which it is provided that the type of material to be used under different terrain/ conditions should adhere to the CPHEEO recommendations for such conditions, as the case may be and as amended from time to time. Being the implementing agency, it is the responsibility of the Public Health Engineering Departments / Rural Water Supply / concerned Department in the States/ UTs, to ensure the adherence to the CPHEEO recommendations.
As such, CPHEEO has not indicated any ban on any of the referred pipe materials being used in drinking water supply projects. Further, no study has been undertaken by the Department regarding the health impact of pipe materials on humans that is used for piped drinking water.
This Information was given by the Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Shri Prahlad Singh Patel in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.